MIDDLETOWN — Melissa Ramirez's son is writing his name now.

"(That's) something I could not get him to do," the mother of two said Thursday afternoon, May 15. "He learned that at Head Start. That's just a fraction of what they've learned at Head Start."

Ramirez, who has had two children in Butler County Head Start and works there herself, spoke at Thursday's 11th annual Stand for Children Kick-Off rally and Butler County Child Care Coalition's Spring celebration.

"There's no doubt in my mind that Head Start has the ability to accomplish everything that they stand for," she said. "I witness that every day and I'm living proof."

The coalition, established in 1998, targets parents, child-care providers and professionals throughout the county to provide a common place to advocate for affordable and accessible quality child care, said Tina Newlin, coalition chair.

This year's event, which featured keynote speaker Harvey Alston and recognized former school board member state Rep. Shawn Webster, R-Hanover Twp., for his commitment to the children of Butler County, said Butler County Educational Services Superintendent Dan Hare.

"He's always been an advocate for children at whatever level," said Hare.

Webster's commitment to children contributed to the longtime legislator's success, said Hanover Twp. Trustee Tim Derickson, who is the GOP candidate running to take his seat in November.

"I'm not sure there's anything more important than the youth and their education," he said. "That's kind of the cornerstone of what the legislators need to be focused on, a quality education for all children."

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